UMass Falls 37-0 at UConn in FBS Debut

EAST HARTFORD, Conn. – Despite forcing three turnovers on defense, the UMass football team was unable to capitalize, falling 37-0 on Thursday night at Connecticut in the Minutemen’s FBS era debut. Antoine Tharpe and Tom Brandt each had interceptions, while Greg Hilliard had a fumble recovery. The game was the first meeting between the two former Yankee Conference/Atlantic 10 rivals since the 1999 season – the last for UConn before moving to the FBS ranks.

The Minutemen fall to 0-1 on the season, while the Huskies start the season with a 1-0 record. UMass will host its first-ever FBS home game on Saturday, Sept. 8 as Indiana visits Gillette Stadium.

UConn’s Chandler Whitmer threw for 219 yards going 15-for-25, while Lyle McCombs ran for 82 yards and a touchdown. Dwayne Gratz had a key interception return for a touchdown prior to halftime, while Taylor Mack blocked a UMass punt that was recovered for a touchdown in late in the third quarter.

Geremy Davis paced the Huskies’ receiving corps with five catches for 79 yards. UConn finished the night with 372 total yards to UMass’ 59.

In his collegiate debut for the Minutemen, Mike Wegzyn was 9-for-22 for 56 yards, freshman A.J. Doyle also saw action, entering the game with 8:24 remaining. Redshirt junior Rob Blanchflower made two catches for 17 yards, while freshman Tajae Sharpe had one catch for 15 yards. Chris Burns carried the ball 11 times for a total of 17 yards.

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